Revolectrix Cellpro multi4 lc04s04a-mc User manual

Cellpro Multi4 Charger

Model LC04S04A-MC, for use with LiPo, Li-Ion, A123,

NiCd, NiMH and Lead Acid battery packs

Automatic and manual charge rates at up to 4A with

overcharge protection and cell balancing (for packs with

node connectors)

Features

New in v1.55 rmware: Press and hold Mode button at power on (see page 7) to...

Set current input limit to prevent charger from overstressing power supply.

Turn Auto Start on/off (off is factory default). With Auto Start on, simply connect bat-

tery to begin charging using selected preset.

New in v1.58 rmware: Multi4 now fully supports charging two parallel-connected

packs using two chargers. See page 11 for details.

Simple to operate: just connect the Cellpro Multi4 Charger between a power source and a

pack, select a pack-specic preset and start charging. No jumpers, plugs or dials to set! Char-

ger automatically determines pack capacity and sets optimal current, then dynamically adjusts

charge rate as needed. Manual charge rates up to 4.0A allow for special situations.

Charges LiPo, Li-Ion, LiFePO4, A123©, LiMn, NiCd, NiMH and Lead Acid chemistries

(adapters for many node connector types are available from FMA Direct). Supports both bal-

anced (depending on chemistry) and non-balanced charging (with certain safety limitations).

Charger holds up to 25 user congurable presets (User Presets), optimized for the different

chemistries, providing charging strategies for most common RC charging needs. Charger also

holds up to 50 Library Presets. When using the free Charge Control Software, the number of

custom presets is virtually unlimited and will grow over time to meet industry needs. Replace

and customize presets to match your battery inventory.

Charges Lithium (2s to 4s balanced charge, 1s to 2s unbalanced charge) and A123 packs (2s

to 4s balanced, 1s to 5s unbalanced) in any capacity up to 32Ah. During balanced charging,

each cell is charged independently, providing exceptional charging safety and elevating RC

packs to the safety level of cellphones. Typical packs of up to 4Ah capacity charge in 50 min-

utes or less using charger’s 2C Auto Current Mode.

Latest technology provides the ultimate in safety—even charges packs having hidden physical

damage without danger of re. A pack will not charge if individual cell voltages don’t equal

total pack voltage.

Cell balancing to 5mV and automatic overcharge protection assure longest pack life. Auto-

matic temperature monitoring prevents pack overcharging at low ambient temperatures and

charger damage at high ambient temperatures.

Backlit display lets you select presets, replace default presets from a library and shows charg-

ing data such as individual cell voltages, charge current, supply voltage, and amount of charge

(mAh) put into pack. Plus, the unique Fuel display shows percent capacity in a pack.

Charge Control Software (CCS, a free download) allows you to customize, save and load pre-

sets (including charger data displays), and view real-time charging data and graphs. CCS also

manages rmware updates to keep your charger operating smoothly.

Precautions

Follow all instructions in this manual to assure safe operation.

Always watch LiPo packs while charging. Never leave them unsupervised during charging.

See additional warning sheets provided with this charger and FMA LiPo packs.

Follow all guidelines for charging, discharging, handling and storing packs of all kinds.

FMA, Inc.

3520 Sugarloaf Parkway, Suite F-03-121

Urbana, MD 21704

Sales: (301) 798-2770



Technical: (301) 829-5533



www.revolectrix.com

Connecting the charger

Connecting packs with a Cellpro connector

Connect packs as shown in this diagram:

Connect to 10–16 VDC

(e.g., gel cell or power supply)

Optional connection to PC

using FMA FUIM2

or FUIM3 cable

Cellpro Multi4 Charger

From pack being charged:

Node Connector*

(for balanced or unbalanced

charging)

Power Connector*

(for unbalanced charging)

*may require adapter

Mode

Button

Data display

To charge two packs that are connected in parallel, using two Multi4 Chargers, follow the in-

structions on page 11.

CAUTION: When two LiPo/Li-Ion/A123 packs are connected in series, do not con-

nect them to two separate chargers that are wired to a single power source. The single

power source provides a common ground to both packs, and the result is a direct short

across one of the battery packs if charging were to start. The Multi4 Charger contains

protective circuitry that prevents it from starting a charge when it detects this situation.

However, one or both chargers, as well as the packs, could be damaged. This con-

dition can be avoided if the chargers are driven from two unconnected power sources

(e.g., two lead acid batteries). For safest charging of series-connected packs, discon-

nect the packs from each other before connecting them to chargers.

Connecting non-Cellpro packs

FMA Direct offers plug-and-play adapters for charging LiPo/Li-Ion/A123 packs equipped

with node connectors made by other vendors. Check the Cellpro section at www.fmadirect.

com for the latest adapters.

If an adapter isn’t available for the pack you want to charge, or if the pack doesn’t have a

node connector, the FMA CPBP7 LiPo Pack Node Connector cable assembly will make the

pack compatible with the Cellpro Multi4 Charger. The diagrams below show how the Node

Connector attaches to packs of various congurations. Additional assembly information is

provided with the Node Connector.

Pin 1

FMA CPBP7 LiPo Pack

Node Connector

Red

Black

Pack positive

Node 3

Node 2

Node 1

Pack negative

Cell 4

–

Cell 3

–

Pack positive

(red), 14.8V*

Pack negative

(blk), 0V

Node 3, 11.1V*

Cell 2

–

Node 2, 7.4V*

4s Pack

Cell 1

–

Node 1, 3.7V*

Cell 3

–

Cell 2

–

Node 2, 7.4V*

3s Pack

Cell 1

–

Node 1, 3.7V*

Pack postive

(red), 7.4V*

Pack negative

(blk), 0V

Pack postive

(red), 11.1V*

Pack negative

(blk), 0V

Cell 2

–

2s Pack

Cell 1

–

Node 1, 3.7V*

* Nominal voltage with respect to pack negative.

Charging a pack

As shipped from the factory, the Multi4 Charger is equipped with 20 User Presets optimized for

common battery types, plus ve Empty Presets. In many cases, you can simply select the User

Preset that matches the pack you want to charge, connect the pack and start charging.

User Presets cover LiPo, Li-Ion, A123, NiCd, NiMH and Lead Acid chemistries paired with

commonly-used charging strategies. (If the User Presets aren’t quite what you need, see the in-

structions beginning on page 6.) The charger also includes a Preset Library containing up to 50

presets. A Library Preset is like a User Preset, except that it must be loaded into the User Preset

bank before it can be changed and used for charging (see “Loading a Library Preset,” later).

1. Connect the charger to a 10V to 16V (maximum), 5A power source.

2. After the Welcome screen (Cellpro Multi4) times out, you’ll see the Preset Menu.

Tip: More information about the display—and how to navigate it—is provided on the

next page.

3. The Preset Menu displays last User Preset you used. If this is the User Preset you want to use

to charge the pack, go to step 4.

otherwise

Press the Mode button until the User Preset you want is displayed (see “Factory-installed

User Presets” for descriptions). (If you see EMPTY PRESET, press the Mode button to go

back to the beginning of the list.)

Tip: Quickly press and release, press and hold, then release the Mode button to re-

verse the sequence of items being displayed in the Preset Menu. The tone indicates

which direction you are going: high tone for forward, low tone for reverse.

4. Connect the pack to the charger.

5. If Auto Start is OFF (factory default), press and hold the Mode button. This displays the

Operations Menu, which cycles through several screens. When you see START, release the

Mode button. The display will briey show CHECKING PACK.

otherwise

If Auto Start is ON (see page 7), go directly to step 6.

6. The next screen displays the preset’s chemistry (for example, LiPo) and prompts you to

verify it is the same as the pack’s chemistry (which should also be, for example, LiPo). This

safety check is your chance to prevent charging if the preset and pack don’t match.

If the displayed chemistry matches the pack’s chemistry, press the Mode button to start

charging. Go to step 7.

If the displayed chemistry does not match the pack’s chemistry, do nothing—the screen

will time out. At the prompt, press the Mode button to see the Preset Menu. Go to step 3.

7. During charging:

Press the Mode button to view various charging data screens (the number of screens and

the data displayed depends on how the User Preset is congured).

To stop charging:

a. Press and hold the Mode button. You’ll see Stop Charge? >No.

b. Press the Mode button to see Stop Charge? >Yes. Press and hold the Mode button.

c. You’ll see CHARGER STOPPED. Press the Mode button to go to the Preset Menu.

8. When charging is complete, the charger will “beep beep beep” several times and the display

will show ELAPSED [time] / [chemistry] DONE. Press the Mode button to review

charging data screens.

9. Disconnect the pack from the charger. The screen displays PACK REMOVED.

10. Press the Mode button to return to the Preset Menu. The charger is ready to charge another

battery (step 3).

Navigating the charger’s screens

This diagram will help you understand how to move from screen to screen using the Mode but-

ton. There are four basic things you can do with the Mode button, as indicated in the diagram:

Press: press and release the Mode button. In most cases, the next screen is displayed.

Press & Hold: press and hold the Mode button.

Release: release the Mode button after you press and hold it.

“Reverse Press”: Quickly press and release the Mode button, then press and

hold it, then release it to reverse the sequence items are displayed in certain lists

(high tone = forward, low tone = reverse).

Timeout

[last-used

user preset†]

Cellpro Multi4

Firmware VX.XX

Press

[next preset†]

Press

[next preset†]

Press

Etc.

[next preset†]

Press

START CHARGE

Press

& Hold

CHOOSE CHG. RATE

CLEAR PRESET

EXIT

Preset Menu

Operations Menu

Release

Return to preset previously

selected in Preset Menu

If Auto Start is ON, simply connect

pack to charger to begin charging

with selected preset

(see page 7 for Auto Start

conguration details)

Release

Return to preset previously

selected in Preset Menu

Note: Operations selected

in Operations Menu apply to

preset selected when you Press

& Hold in Preset Menu

Apply power to charger

“Reverse Press” to

reverse sequence*

*Tone changes to

indicate direction:

High tone = forward

Low tone = reverse

Press

PRESET LIBRARY

Release

See

page 6

†If slot is empty,

display shows

EMPTY PRESET

CHECKING PACK

[chemistry]

Press to Verify

MODE not pressed

Push to Reset

CHARGING Press

MODE for info.

STOP CHARGE?

>Yes

STOP CHARGE?

>No

CHARGER STOPPED

[various charge

data screens]

Press Press

& Hold

Press

Timeout

Press

[library preset]

Press

[next preset]

Press

Etc.

[last preset]

Press

& Hold

Replace Preset

from Library? >N

Replace Preset

from Library? >Y

Press

& Hold Overwrite preset selected

in Preset Menu with

selected Library Preset.

Create new preset if

EMPTY PRESET was

selected in Preset Menu

CHOOSE CHG. RATE

Charge @ [value]

Press for

next value

Press

& Hold

Apply selected charge

rate to preset selected in

Preset Menu

Note: Press ONLY if displayed

chemistry is same as pack chemistry

Note: Press & Hold when desired

Library Preset is displayed.

Press

& Hold

Elapsed [time]

[chemistry] DONE

Charging

Choose Preset from Library

Choose Charge Rate

Press

& Hold

Press

& Hold

“Reverse Press” to

reverse sequence

“Reverse Press” to

reverse sequence*

Press

& Hold

Press

& Hold

[various charge

data screens]

PACK REMOVED

Disconnect

pack from

charger

Press

Charge complete

Press

& Hold

Changing a User Preset’s charge rate

You can change the charge rate for any User Preset. The new rate is retained (even after power is

cycled) until you change it again (this behavior can be changed via Charge Control Software).

1. Navigate to the Preset Menu.

2. If the User Preset you want to change is displayed, go to step 3.

otherwise

Press the Mode button until the preset you want is displayed.

3. Press and hold the Mode button. This displays the Operations Menu, which cycles through

several screens. When you see CHOOSE CHG. RATE, release the Mode button.

4. The display now shows the preset’s charge rate (on the bottom line).

5. Press the Mode button to cycle through available charge rates (some rates are currents [Aor

mA], others are multiples of pack capacity [C]; the list wraps around).

Tip: Quickly press and release, press and hold, then release the Mode button to re-

verse the sequence of charge rates. This enables you to go back to a rate, rather than

running through the entire list. The tone you hear when you press the Mode button indi-

cates which direction you are going: high tone for forward, low tone for reverse.

Tip: Currents change in 5mA increments for small packs, and in 0.250A increments for

large packs (depending on how presets are congured).

6. When the charge rate you want is displayed, press and hold the Mode button. This applies

the charge rate to the preset and returns you to the Operations Menu.

7. In the Operations Menu, release the Mode button when you see the operation you want.

Clearing a User Preset

You can remove User Presets you don’t need. For example, if you don’t regularly charge A123

and Lead Acid batteries, you can remove those to limit the Preset Menu to the presets you do use.

The rst 20 presets in the Preset Library are the same as the 20 factory-installed User Presets (see

list and descriptions later in this manual), so you can easily restore any presets you remove.

1. Navigate to the Preset Menu.

2. If the User Preset you want to remove is displayed, go to step 3.

otherwise

Press the Mode button until the preset you want is displayed.

3. Press and hold the Mode button. This displays the Operations Menu, which cycles through

several screens. When you see CLEAR PRESET, release the Mode button.

4. You are prompted to conrm your action with the message CLEAR PRESET?. Press the

Mode button to switch between conrming the removal (>Yes) or denying the removal

(>No).

5. When you have selected the desired response to the prompt, press and hold the Mode button.

If you selected Yes in step 4, the preset is deleted.

6. You are returned to the Operations Menu. Release the Mode button when you see the opera-

tion you want.

Tip: If you are using the Charge Control Software, you can shorten the Preset Menu by

hiding User Presets you don’t use, as well as hiding Empty Presets. See “Conguring

User Presets,” later in this manual.

Cong Menu

Cellpro Multi4

Firmware VX.XX

Start

Apply power to charger

Press & Hold

Mode button

Press & Hold to set Amps

Press & Hold to

set Auto Start

CHOOSE SPLY AMPS

LIMIT @ X.XXA

USE AUTO START

>Yes

EXIT

Hold for More

USE AUTO START

>Yes

USE AUTO START

>No

CHOOSE SPLY AMPS

LIMIT @ X.XXA

Release

Press to change Amps

Press

Release

to Preset Menu (see page 4)

Other User Preset operations

To remove a User Preset: See “Clearing a User Preset.” Thereafter, that slot will show EMP-

TY PRESET until you load a Library Preset into it.

To load a Library Preset into any slot: See “Loading a Library Preset.” If the slot was empty,

this will create a new User Preset; if the slot already had a User Preset, this will overwrite it.

To back up / restore presets using the Charge Control Software: See “Working with les.”

Strategies for organizing User Presets

Suppose all your packs can be handled with a small group of User Presets, and you don’t need

any of the other User Presets (at least not now). What’s the most efcient way to organize your

core presets?

If you aren’t using the Charge Control Software: Follow the instructions in “Loading a Li-

brary Preset” to put your core presets in adjacent slots. Use the instructions in “Clearing a

User Preset” to remove the User Presets you don’t need. Now, when you move through the

Preset Menu on the charger, use the “reverse press” technique when you see EMPTY PRESET

in the display—that will let you quickly move forward and back through your core presets.

If you are using the Charge Control Software: In the Presets tab, drag the presets you want

to the top of the list. For the presets you don’t need, set their visibility to Hide. Finally, click

Update Charger. Now, only your core User Presets will appear in the Presets Menu. (De-

tails are in “Using the Charge Control Software.”)

Conguring input current limiting and Auto Start

Press and hold the Mode button while applying power to the charger to access the Cong Menu.

CHOOSE SPLY AMPS limits how much current the char-

ger draws from the power supply.

USE AUTO START: Yes enables you to start charg-

ing using the selected preset simply by connecting the

pack. No requires you to start charging using the START

CHARGE screen in the Operations Menu.

(These can also be set via the Charge Control Software.)

Factory-installed User Presets

1 LiPo Generic Accurate Charge. Basic LiPo preset can be used for any LiPo battery. Fuel Table is

optimized for generic LiPo batteries from C discharge ratings up to 20C. Selectable charge rates

include 1C, 2C, 3C AUTO or 0.25A to 4.0A manual. Optimization is for the most accurate charging

with termination settings of C/20 and max of 30 min timeout for C.V. mode. This preset requires that

every cell in the battery is charged to exactly 100%. If using high C rate discharge batteries (25C and

higher), Fuel Gauge readout may not be accurate and AUTO charge rate may be higher or lower than

expected. Default charge rate setting is 1C AUTO.

2 LiPo Generic Faster Charge. Basic LiPo preset can be used for any LiPo battery. Fuel Table is optimized

for generic LiPo batteries from C discharge ratings up to 20C. Selectable charge rates include 1C,

2C, 3C AUTO or 0.25A to 4.0A manual. Optimization is for faster charging with termination settings

of C/10 and max of 5 min timeout for C.V. mode. This preset does not require that every cell in the

battery is charged to exactly 100%. If using high C rate discharge batteries (25C and higher), Fuel

Gauge readout may not be accurate and AUTO charge rate may be higher or lower than expected.

Default charge rate setting is 2C AUTO.

3 LiPo Generic Long Life (4.1v). Basic LiPo preset copied from Preset 1 above but with end-charge voltage

reduced to 4.1v. Use this preset if you wish to have the longest life from your LiPo batteries, but be

aware, your ight times will be reduced slightly. Fuel Table is optimized for generic LiPo batteries from

C discharge ratings up to 20C, but table is revised to correlate to lower end charge voltage.

4 LiPo Generic Small Balanced. Special LiPo preset designed for charging small batteries but still using

balance connector. This preset is recommended for battery sizes as small as 5 mAh and up to 500

mAh. Preset requires manual charge rate settings of between 5 and 500 mA in 5 mA increments.

Fuel Table is optimized for generic LiPo batteries from C discharge ratings up to 20C.

5 LiPo 1s/2s Small Non Balanced. Special LiPo preset designed for charging small Park Flier type batteries

that are not equipped with balance connectors. Be cautious when charging any LiPo battery

non-balanced. The charger is not capable of detecting imbalance between cells. Never charge

unattended using this preset. Fuel Table is optimized for generic LiPo batteries from C discharge

ratings up to 20C. This preset has termination characteristics similar to Preset 2 above for faster top

off.

6 LiPo All Brands Storage Charge. Special LiPo preset designed to storage charge a discharged battery up

to 3.86v per cell. This preset will only work if the battery is below the storage charge voltage when

connected. Manual charge rate setting is required when using this preset and ranges from 0.25A to

4.00A. Default setting is 2.0A.

7 LiPo REVO Black Accurate Charge. Brand Specic LiPo preset similar in all regards to Preset 1 above,

but with Fuel Table optimized for REVOLECTRIX “Black Label” batteries. If used with other brands,

the Fuel Gauge readout may not be accurate and AUTO charge rate may be higher or lower than

expected. Default charge rate setting is 1C AUTO.

8 LiPo REVO Black Faster Charge. Brand Specic LiPo preset similar in all regards to Preset 2 above,

but with Fuel Table optimized for REVOLECTRIX “Black Label” batteries. If used with other brands,

the Fuel Gauge readout may not be accurate and AUTO charge rate may be higher or lower than

expected. Default charge rate setting is 2C AUTO.

9 LiPo REVO Black Long Life (4.1v). Brand Specic LiPo preset similar in all regards to Preset 3 above,

but with Fuel Table optimized for REVOLECTRIX “Black Label” batteries. If used with other brands,

the Fuel Gauge readout may not be accurate and AUTO charge rate may be higher or lower than

expected. Default charge rate setting is 2C AUTO.

10 A123 2300 mAh Accurate Charge. Optimized for balance charging A123, 2300 mAh battery packs

(requires node wires on the pack). Fuel Table is optimized for this specic battery type and capacity.

Selectable charge rates include 1C, 2C, 3C AUTO or 0.25A to 4.0A manual. Optimization is for the

most accurate charging with termination settings of C/20 and max of 30 min timeout for C.V. mode.

This preset requires that every cell in the battery is charged to exactly 100%. This preset may also

be used for LiFePO4 type batteries which have similar charge characteristics. When using LiFePO4

batteries, Fuel Gauge readout may not be accurate and AUTO charge rate may be higher or lower

than expected. Default charge rate setting is 4.0A manual.

11 A123 2300 mAh Faster Charge. Optimized for balance charging A123, 2300 mAh battery packs (requires

node wires on the pack). Fuel Table is optimized for this specic battery type and capacity.

Selectable charge rates include 1C, 2C, 3C AUTO or 0.25A to 4.0A manual. Optimization is for faster

charging with termination settings of C/20 and max of 15 min timeout for C.V. mode. This preset

does not require that every cell in the battery is charged to exactly 100%. This preset may also be

used for LiFePO4 type batteries which have similar charge characteristics. When using LiFePO4

batteries, Fuel Gauge readout may not be accurate and AUTO charge rate may be higher or lower

than expected. Default charge rate setting is 4.0A manual.

12 A123 2300 mAh Non Balanced. Optimized for non-balance charging A123, 2300 mAh battery packs (node

wires not required on the pack). Fuel Table is optimized for this specic battery type and capacity.

Selectable charge rates include 1C, 2C, 3C AUTO or 0.25A to 4.0A manual. Optimization is for faster

charging with termination settings of C/10 and max of 15 min timeout for C.V. mode. This preset is

not capable of charging every cell in the battery to exactly 100% because it does not have access to

individual cell voltages. Imbalance will be present at the end of charge; however, A123 cells are not

as sensitive to this problem. Nevertheless, charging A123’s using the balanced charge preset(s) is

recommended whenever possible. This preset may also be used for LiFePO4 type batteries which

have similar charge characteristics. When using LiFePO4 batteries, Fuel Gauge readout may not be

accurate and AUTO charge rate may be higher or lower than expected. Default charge rate setting is

4.0A manual. Because this preset is not restricted by the node connector, it can handle 1-5 cells of

this battery type only.

13 A123 1100 mAh Accurate Charge. Optimized for balance charging A123, 1100 mAh battery packs

(requires node wires on the pack). Fuel Table is optimized for this specic battery type and capacity.

Selectable charge rates include 1C, 2C, 3C AUTO or 0.25A to 4.0A manual. Optimization is for the

most accurate charging with termination settings of C/20 and max of 30 min timeout for C.V. mode.

This preset requires that every cell in the battery is charged to exactly 100%. This preset may also

be used for LiFePO4 type batteries which have similar charge characteristics. When using LiFePO4

batteries, Fuel Gauge readout may not be accurate and AUTO charge rate may be higher or lower

than expected. Default charge rate setting is 3.3A manual.

14 A123 1100 mAh Faster Charge. Optimized for balance charging A123, 1100 mAh battery packs (requires

node wires on the pack). Fuel Table is optimized for this specic battery type and capacity.

Selectable charge rates include 1C, 2C, 3C AUTO or 0.25A to 4.0A manual. Optimization is for faster

charging with termination settings of C/20 and max of 15 min timeout for C.V. mode. This preset

does not require that every cell in the battery is charged to exactly 100%. This preset may also be

used for LiFePO4 type batteries which have similar charge characteristics. When using LiFePO4

batteries, Fuel Gauge readout may not be accurate and AUTO charge rate may be higher or lower

than expected. Default charge rate setting is 3.3A manual.

15 A123 1100 mAh Non Balanced. Optimized for non-balance charging A123, 1100 mAh battery packs (node